I took an informal poll. The outcome of the poll led me to examine our country’s abundant amount of patriotism.

We have so much of it. It’s too bad patriotism cannot fuel a car. It’s too bad it cannot stop global warming. It’s too bad it cannot do what it should do---lead people to get this country to begin treating its Constitution like it is more than a historic document, something they were forced to learn about in high school.

One word---impeachment.

Our brand of patriotism is a corporatized, militarized, and nationalized obsession with one nation under God. I’m talking about Christ and the flag. The Nazis would have loved to have Good Germans like the Americans we have here who gladly put on T-shirts that read obscene phrases like, “Go up against us, lose every time.”

For the Fourth of July, I am asking people to reconsider patriotism with a collection of photos and videos. I have also inserted my altering of some of our favorite national songs or anthems. However, the Star Spangled Banner remains the same. You cannot make that more jingoistic/imperialistic.

Bombs bursting in air! There’s something terribly wrong with a nation that celebrates freedom from bombs by blowing up bombs.

What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility ... a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. -Adlai Stevenson

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When a whole nation is roaring Patriotism at the top of its voice, I am fain to explore the cleanness of its hands and the purity of its heart. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. –Mark Twain

Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it. – George Bernard Shaw

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So, citizens; a question. Do you think it’s at all possible that these politicians whose judgment is so faulty that they actually believe they’re serving the nation might be expected to indulge occasionally in some, oh, I don’t know, exaggerated patriotism? Hah? Whaddya think? Maybe? Hah?

Well, fans, it’s not possible, it’s downright inevitable. And should they be so indulging themselves on the Fourth of July, you’ll want to be sure to have hip boots and shovels handy, because brown stuff is going to be piling up at an alarming rate. And I suggest you shovel fast, because your elected heroes will be squeezing every last ounce of counterfeit patriotism out of their blood starved brains. -George Carlin, When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?